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Post by Honeysmom on Jan 16, 2004 12:50:59 GMT -5
I cannot beleive all of the holidays your kids have off!! I have, not have my kids, every been off for Colombus day, or President's day, or MLK day. It amazes me.
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Post by camismom on Jan 16, 2004 13:51:36 GMT -5
Here we get MLK day, but not President's, Veteran's, or Columbus Day, and we had to fight to get Memorial! Go figure...
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Post by finnmom on Jan 16, 2004 15:05:19 GMT -5
O´kay, you just dropped me out of the map, so to speak. Correct me if/when I´am wrong, b/c I´am not so familiar with your significant holiday´s of the year.  seems to me like you have lot´s of different kind´s of day-off´s, here is our schoolyear, (as it mostly appears);usually it start´s around the 15th of august, then kid´s have a week of in october, if Independensday happend´s to be mo-fri then it´s free(ofcourse ;D), christmas-vacation from around 21st of dec to about 4th-7th of jan. then s.c. skiing-vacation at the end of feb (weeck) couple of holidays around eastern; fri and mon. Uups, forget the 1st of may, wich is our "labor day". Summer-holiday starts at 31st of may. Sound´s like every state has their own plan for schoolyear  I know/think I know that all state´s has their own law´s and so on, am I right? this board is so educating for me, I have to thank you all for that!!!  Foreing method´s and everyday-live interest´s me so much, I enjoy this! Marja |
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Post by tridlette on Jan 16, 2004 15:56:45 GMT -5
Marja, yes each state has separate laws. Each school district sets up their own calendar as well. In Massachusetts, where the first shot was fired in our Revolutionary War, they have that day off as "Patriot's Day", April 19. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a hero that fought and won rights for the black American's in the 1960's. We memorialize him on his birthday each year. President's Day is in February since many of our greatest presidents were born then. Memorial Day, May 31, is a celebration of our War Dead. Independence Day, July 4, is the celebration of our Declaration of Independence from England. Labor Day is the celebration of our hard work. Veteran's Day we honor our military personnel (although it seems that our heroes and veterans usually work and only our mail carriers get the day off of work!) and We celebrate Thanksgiving Day in November. Canada has several similar holidays, but they have their Thanksgiving in October while we celebrate Columbus Day, since Christopher Columbus discovered this continent.
Locally, our schools tend to plan additional in-service days on Jewish Holidays, since we have a high population of Jews.
I am teaching early US History to my son in home school, so we have been concentrating on important dates recently. I believe I hit most of the "big" days.
Additionally, each state has reasons to celebrate other dates. Vermont has "Green Up Day" when everyone in the state is supposed to take the day and clean the environment. It is a highly respected day there!
Massachusetts state offices are also closed on Bunker Hill Day, although most residents couldn't tell you when it is or what it commemorates (including this native)
Here in my township, they give the kids November 1st off as well, since most children are suffering from sugar hang-overs after Halloween trick or treat!
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Post by rosyred45 on Jan 17, 2004 8:34:44 GMT -5
I really don't want to sound ignorant here, just matter of fact, so please don't take this the wrong way:
Doesn't everyone look forward to having 5 days off as opposed to 2? Like I said, please don't take it the wrong way, I just can't say it w/out it sounding mean.
As for the teachers...yes, some of them are there for the paycheck, but more times than not, they are there for the kids. I know at our school, the kids got Halloween off, HALLOWEEN.....the teachers had workshops to attend. I might sound a little biased, but it isn't being mean. My mom has 95 science fair projects to go over this weekend. That isn't counting any tests that she has to grade, papers she has to read, calls she has to make. And she is doing it in her kitchen.
She was at the school last night until 6pm, along with 4 or 5 other teachers getting things wrapped up or ready for next week. And that is a low number to have stayed. Contractually the teachers have to be at the school at 7:50 am, on "duty" meaning a various posts through out the school to greet the children and tone down any fires that may be stirring
-they have their prep time--read meeting with a committee that they have to be on according to policy,
-lunch break--sometimes they take it other times they don't have time to because a parent needs to see them or there's a problem and they need to see the principal,
- they cannot leave before 2:30, which isn't usually a problem, the bus bell rings at 2:20, walker bell rings at 2:25.
This doesn't go into account the meetings that they MUST attend afterschool.
Like I said, it isn't meant to sound mean, but I work with kids afterschool, I see all of the caring that the teachers put into thier jobs. They don't want to be against parents on any issue, but when the BOE makes a decision, and there isn't any objections at the meetings, they will do what they feel is fit.
Maybe you can get some parents together to attend the next board meeting, the Board can always make adjustments. BUT they need to know "officially", not just a bunch of parents complaining to them one on one.
Best bet:TAKE RESEARCH WITH YOU. They'll listen to you in when you come in with some kind of backing. And if it proves to be too much of a hardship on too many families, they might be able to change it. Make sure to take into account the heat, humidity, all of that.
Sorry so long, please don't take it the wrong way, hit a spot
Kaiti
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Post by catseye on Jan 17, 2004 10:41:02 GMT -5
SURE!! I would love it, however how many jobs other than teachers can you think of that get more than 2 days off?? Heck I am elated to get a 4 day weekend! Teachers are actually getting a full 5 days PLUS the weekend, so that is 7 days and 5 are paid I believe... I think I went into the wrong profession!!! LOL
Alot of my problems with the odd days off, (meaning not something my job considers a holiday) is the problem with daycare... Its very difficult to get daycare on those extra days off... Sure that is MY problem, but ALOT of parents are faced with that problem... Man I cant wait till sd is old enough to take care of herself... Hey how old is that anyway for an adhd kid?? 17? Maybe 21?? LMAO
cat
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Post by rosyred45 on Jan 17, 2004 11:06:01 GMT -5
I think the age is um, what age is retirement? ;D I understand totally with the day care stuff, I have been truly blessed with my job. I direct the program after school, when school is closed, I am off. That's just our program. BUT I'm hourly, not salary, so I don't get paid when I have off. I have helped a few families when they need it. We have the kids over to "play". I can't except any money either, since that would put the program technically in line for a lawsuit, God forbid if anything ever happened. I did work the summer program as a favor to the assistant director(she does summer and I do school year). We thought we'd be free and clear, get some money together to put down on a house. Turned out to put us in even more of a hole with the activities the kids did. and they had to go because I had to work. Plus I didn't even have enough time to put up all of the stuff for the winter that I usually do. If I win the lottery, I'll hire everyone to work at my company, just have to figure out what I want to do. And we will all make up our own hours, daycare provided as a courtesy, shuttle buses to and from school for the kids. Sound good? Kaiti  |
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Post by finnmom on Jan 18, 2004 4:28:01 GMT -5
Tridlette  I notice that you have all the reguired for homeschooling, thank you for educating me (And this was truly a thank you from hart, no sarcassism) Am I totally wrong or wasn´t Bunker Hill-battle one of the battle´s(famous one´s) in your Civil war ( Totally no knowligde, just a thing I think I know) I have nothing against holidays, just wich I could have those too. Getting someone to take care of my ds demand´s always organizing and thinking. I have 28 holidays in a year, so it´s not enough. Marja |
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Post by tridlette on Jan 18, 2004 15:03:54 GMT -5
Marja, you asked for it! Bunker Hill was a place near Boston, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War Times... 1770's. The Battle of Bunker Hill actually took place on a Hill known as Breed's Hill. It was a key battle in the American Revolution. It was all for nothing in the long run... since Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill were later levelled to fill in low lands around Boston. Originally, in the days after Columbus " Discovered" the New World, Boston was nearly an island. But as Boston grew up, it needed more land. So the fathers of the city decided to take the soil from all the high lands and fill in all the low lands. That is why today the City of Boston is essentially FLAT! Also, another piece of trivia... to serve the City of Boston with water, they bought the entire contents of 3 towns in central Massachusetts that were also low lying towns. They built a mighty dam and flooded the entire Quabbin Basin to build the Quabbin Resevoir and now the Quabbin is the main water supply for the city. It also is a phenomenal haven for endangered species. take a look at www.nu.com/eagles/default.aspto see what Northeast Utilities (the electric consortium for New England) has done to protect nesting Bald Eagles around the Quabbin Resevoir. They actually have a live camera that updates every 5-10 minutes on line to show the activity of one pair of nesting Eagles. Class, thank you for you time, enjoy the rest of the day watching the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win the contest. (i hope, i hope, i hope!!!) Class dismissed! |
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Post by finnmom on Jan 18, 2004 15:12:55 GMT -5
Tridlette ;D ;D ;D
You are way too funny ;e I actually shearced the google about Bunker hill, and found out that I was wrong, but thank you anyway!!!
You totally hit the nail with that patriot´s-wich, guest what my hubby is watching right now!!!!! I have no side´s on this one, obvious reasons ;D I just hope the best team win´s and all of you have good time wathcing it!!!
Marja
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Post by camismom on Jan 20, 2004 8:18:14 GMT -5
kaiti,
I don't take your post the wrong way, it's your opinion you have full right too, but I agree with cat. These odd days off are days the teachers get paid for, yet the parents have to pay for daycare, because though they are off, we are not. I have to be at work at 7:30, usually am here at 7:20, and can't leave until 4:30, so we all have hours we have to meet. And when the teachers are at home grading papers and projects, etc., the parents are at home helping the students DO these papers/projects, so sorry, but I can't quite empathize. Plus, they have the Summer to rest up, while we are working at paying for daycare. Yes, this is what we chose, but teaching is what they chose. We all have to live with our decisions as far as our professions, but it's the parents that have to live with the teacher's decisions as to when our children will go to school. At least where I live. Like I said, we weren't given the chance to vote, and there were several parents voicing opinions at the last board meeting. Did no good though...
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Post by rosyred45 on Jan 20, 2004 8:42:54 GMT -5
camismom, I'm glad I didn't offend you. I've sat through a few board meetings, but our district is so small that if there's more than 5 extra people at the meeting, something is going on. Honest. I know that the board here has come down to the wire, like a week before school started and changed the calendar. I don't know what kind of influence was there that changed it, but I had to rewrite all of my info that I gave to parents. I have a question for whoever wants to voice it, and this sorta goes along the lines of hearing the teachers talk about the days off. OK, I work in a school for those that don't know. I have contact with all faculty and staff under our board. Is it me, or are people now days less professional? I've gotten quite ticked as a parent and director to hear one teacher complain about another TO the kids about who, what where, when yadda yadda. I've been told by custodians, when my SACC kids are right there, that they are tired of the other custodians or teachers not doing the job they are supposed to. It's more or less gripe session. BUT THE KIDS ARE IN EARSHOT  I try to move, so the kids don't hear, but it's a little hard when the people are yelling it across the room. What ever happened to keep it to yourself or kids don't need to know certain aspects? And why are you questioning a student about a teachers action? Stupid, unprofessional stuff. Oh well, thanks for letting me gripe. there is no sound for the kids to hear me ;D Kaiti |
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Post by camismom on Jan 20, 2004 9:00:33 GMT -5
kaiti,
I wholeheartedly agree. I used to work in a school too, did for many, amny years, and do still work for the district, so I am exposed to teachers everyday. That's where most of my opinions/gripes come from...what I see/hear with my own eyes and ears. When I was in the school (I worked in the guidance office where more often than not students would be sitting waiting to see the asst. principal or a counselor) there were many times I would hear teachers complaining of other teachers or even some students. If I could hear them, I know these kids could! When Cami was in elementary school, she would sometimes go to the office after school to work on homework (the afterschool program could get too loud for her to concentrate in there). She came home many, many times telling me all about what the teachers said about this kid she knows, or that kid she knows, etc. I would scold her for eavesdropping and she would say, "mom, they were standing right beside me the whole time, I couldn't help but hear!"
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Post by rosyred45 on Jan 20, 2004 9:10:57 GMT -5
I hear ya( pun intended.) I just think that it'd be like a dr. revealing the test results to his waiting room. That wouldn't be too kosher. I've been thinking about it over the weekend, and I will be leaving a few minutes early today and stop in to see the VP. The more I think about it, the more po'ed I get. I can't tell you how many times I just want to tell the people, take somewhere else please. Remember, you are professional. It's not even necessarily the younger teachers or those with less experiance, It's all the way across the board. Including the administration. Talk about theitcalling the kettle black when their at their meetings. Kaiti |
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Post by tridlette on Jan 20, 2004 10:36:07 GMT -5
I have to speak up here also. I am not a teacher in the district, nor a secretary, just the PTA president.
The conversation I overheard last summer at a BOY SCOUT family picnic is the thing that irked me. One Special Ed teacher chatting with the substitute secretary while the three of us sat together at the picnic table. Mrs. B. asks if the class lists are out yet for the year. Mrs. J. says she just got her list on Friday. Mrs. B. says that if Mrs. W's daughter is in her class that she should spend extra time reading through the IEP since Girl W. has some very non-traditional items in her IEP. What you need to know is that Mrs. B is the secretary telling the Spec. Ed. teacher to watch out for a Sped student, and even more interesting since then, I found out that Girl W. actually graduated from that school and was now in the middle school where neither Mrs. J or Mrs. B work!
I adore Mrs. B for all her hard work, she is an advocate for every child she knows, but this one time I was shocked that SHE chose the forum to discuss this child. It is quite unlike her to let her guard down and talk in front of anyone about a child. At the time, I only knew the parents of Girl W. I have since met the girl in the course of my sons' band performances. I like to believe that I am mature enough to not let the overheard conversation impact my interaction with the girl.
I do hope that all of us remember when we can be overheard, sometimes even well intentioned words are spoken near the wrong child or parent.
Have a wonderful week.
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